Jones, Marnie Jo McConnell Mrs. – Obituary

She died just one day after her birthday. Beloved mother, wife and friend, she had suffered cancer for the past year, her family said.

Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2625 Hughes Lane. Bishop Ernie Collard of the 1st Ward will officiate. At Marnie’s request, her body will be cremated and her ashes will remain in the family home.

Marnie was born on June 27, 1949, at John Day and had lived in Eastern Oregon most of her life. She was a native child dating back to the Baldock family and the Eddy family as well as Grandad Frye, who owned a soda fountain in Baker City. Her parents were Margaret and Floyd McConnell.

Marnie was loved by everyone she touched and who knew her, her family said. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many positions, including president of the Relief Society. One of her favorite roles was teaching a group of small boys, an assignment given to her by Bishop James Kerns.

She grew up at Bates and later on the Middle Fork of the John Day River at Galena, a place dear to her heart. She attended Prairie City schools, graduating with honors. She later attended business school at Boise, where she again excelled in her work.

She was too young to hold a regular job when she graduated from business school, so she worked at the potato factory for a short time. Marnie’s career spanned many jobs and occupations from bank loan officer to the last and final job as trial court administrator for Judge Milo Pope. He called her “the best darn lawyer in the business without a license,” her family said.

She retired due to poor health in 2004 and remained active at home and in her church. She and her husband, Ed, were inseparable.

Survivors include her husband of 19 years, Ed Jones of Baker City; her daughter and son-in-law, Carolyne and Keith Bobo, and her grandsons, Jake and Ronny, of Baker City, who were her pride and joy; daughter and son-in-law, Dawnya and Dan and their daughters, Micah and Shantelle of Montana; her mother; and four stepdaughters.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Fund through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.